Melasma Natural Treatment

Melasma natural treatment is an inexpensive way to cure this skin problem. Application of lemon juice is often useful to treat melasma. To know more about melasma natural cures, read on...

Nicks J

Last Updated: Apr 22, 2018

What is melasma? This is a skin disorder that interferes with the natural color of the skin. A person affected with melasma shows formation of brown patches that are generally seen on the facial area. As we all know, the pigment melanin that is being produced in the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) is responsible for giving color to the superficial skin. However, when there is too much of melanin production, it can lead to the development of brown spots on the face. When it comes to curing this skin disorder, people prefer treating it naturally, instead of prescription medicines.

Causes

Hormonal imbalance is common during pregnancy, which can cause excess production of melanin. This eventually brings discolored skin and hence melasma is usually observed in pregnant women. Also, when skin is exposed to sun for prolonged periods of time, it may respond in the form of melasma. Thyroid problems such as overactive thyroid gland or side effect of certain medications such as oral contraceptives or estrogen and progesterone pills, are some of the factors that can cause melasma.

Natural Remedies

Lemon Juice

This is considered to be the best way to clear melasma naturally. Regular application of fresh lemon juice on the affected area can gradually disappear those ugly patches. Daily usage of lemon juice has shown considerable amount of improvement in the appearance of skin. With lemon juice, to lighten or fade away melasma is no big deal. Squeezing the lemon on the affected skin area, is the most sought after treatment for melasma. An important constituent of lemon juice is citric acid. Being acidic in nature, lemon juice scraps the outermost layer safely, thus helping to remove the discolored skin. After 10-15 minutes, washing your face with warm water is recommended. Keeping the lemon juice for over 20 minutes can do more harm than good to the skin.

Onion

This is yet another melasma natural treatment that can work wonders to heal this skin condition. First, chop the onion into very small pieces. Make slices of onion and immerse them into vinegar. Now, apply these onion slices dipped in vinegar on the affected skin. Onion juice can also be helpful to eliminate these brown spots. In order to extract onion juice, one will require a cheesecloth. First chop the onion into very small pieces and then wrap it in a cheesecloth. Tie the two ends of a cheesecloth and allow the cheesecloth to hang freely anywhere in the house. The onion juice will be seen oozing out from the cheese cloth. One can keep a container below the cheesecloth to collect the onion juice. Now mix it with vinegar in equal amounts. Now, use a cotton ball to apply this solution two times in a day. However, it may take several weeks, before the brown spots completely disappear. After 10-15 minutes, it is advised to wash your face with lukewarm water.

Grape Seed Extract

Use of grape seed extracts can also play a very important role to reduce the appearance of melasma. Grape seed extracts are known to support skin health by protecting it from free radical damage, hence their usage is helpful in treating melasma. Studies have revealed that grape seed extract can lighten melasma triggered by hormonal disturbances and UV radiation. In one animal study, guinea pigs who had patchy brown pigmentation due to excessive exposure to UV rays were put on grape seed extract. The dark skin discoloration on guinea pigs decreased noticeably due to oral dosage of grape seed extract taken for a stipulated period of time. In another study, about a dozen women affected with hyperpigmentation were given grape seed extracts for about a year. After evaluating the skin problem, just after 6 months, the patchy hyperpigmented skin improved considerably.

Oil Combination

Both lavender and tea tree oil display skin healing properties and so their mixture can also contribute effectively to treat melasma. Applying a mixture (3-4 times daily) that is made by combining lavender and tea tree oil in equal amounts can also help to lighten melasma. A combination of chamomile and lavender essential oil is yet another effective home remedy for the treatment of melasma.

Cucumber

Say goodbye to melasma with cucumber. Use of cucumber juice or cucumber mask has also been helpful in getting rid of melasma. These skin blemishes respond quite well to this natural remedy. Dark spots associated with melasma will soon fade away with regular application of cucumber juice or mask.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, an item found in almost every household can also be effective to remove melasma. Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar in equal amounts of water. The solution thus prepared is then used for washing the face. Vinegar is basically an astringent that causes contraction of superficial skin. This action helps to make the skin look better and smoother. Use of apple cider vinegar has been long regarded as one of the beautiful skin remedies. Once you have applied the solution on the affected area, wash it with water after a few minutes. Allow the affected area to dry naturally and do not use a towel. For a bright clear skin free from melasma, use of this solution is certainly recommended.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera promotes a healthy looking skin, involves usage of aloe vera gel, hence it is an active ingredient of most skin care products, due to its ability to alleviate skin problems. You can directly apply cold aloe vera gel to the discolored region of the skin. Massage the gel on the affected area with soft hands and one will see dark spots fading away within a couple of weeks. Application of a solution made by mixing aloe vera oil with vitamin E and primrose oil, once a week is also effective to reduce pigmentation.

Turmeric

Use of turmeric also comes in the list of melasma natural cures. A turmeric paste made by mixing lemon juice with turmeric powder, when applied on the affected region is helpful to eliminate melasma. This is because turmeric stops excessive production of melanin, which helps to reduce those brown spots. Once applied, let the paste remain for 10-15 minutes and then wash the affected part with clean water.

Melasma is a temporary skin problem that generally goes away after delivery. However, one has to follow any of these treatment options daily to restore healthy look of the skin at the earliest.